by C. A. McHugh
She looked away from him and rose to her feet. “I told you—my father doesn’t deal with those things.”
“But he might know someone who does.” He moved in front of her and took her hand. A risky move, sure, but since he’d known her since she was a toddling apple-cheeked sneak thief, he hoped his gesture of friendship wouldn’t end with him wearing one of her knives. “Please, Kat, I know this must be hard for you—”
“You have no idea what I’m thinking,” she snapped. Cold fury blazed in her eyes.
“I do know. I was there—remember? I lived through those dark times, and I have the scars to prove it.” Not to mention the nightmares, the flashbacks, and now the oh-so-annoying taunts that randomly popped up in his mind. Just like the King of Thieves, Raimel had been asked to join the Raven Bringer’s forces. And just like the king, he’d refused. Thankfully, he hadn’t had anyone important enough for the Raven Bringer to torture. He’d just borne the brunt of it himself.
“My father will not be pleased to hear this news.”
“Do you think there’s anyone in the kingdom who would be pleased to her this news? Unless, of course, you count the demons and necromancers that might be hiding under rocks out there.”
“How can you make light of something like this?”
“Because it’s the only way I know to combat the darkness.” He took a deep breath. “But I’m as serious as the grave on this matter. He’s back, and we need to work together to stop him before he regains the power he had before.”
She nodded and slipped her hand free from his. “Very well. You know my father’s stance on this matter. How can we be of assistance?”
“Your realm hides so many secrets it would be the perfect place for someone like the Raven Bringer to conceal his activity. Let me know if you catch wind of any sale or trade of black magic items, if you hear of any recruitment calls, if you notice any hotbeds of demonic activity. There’s no need for your father and his subjects to intervene. Any information you can pass on to me would help. Master Binnius and his mages will take it from there.”
A wicked smile appeared on her lips, wiping away the last traces of her fear. “You think my father will be content to stand aside and let the mages have all the fun?”
“If he’s comfortable vanquishing a few demons, have at it. But if we can keep this all under wraps—”
“I know what you’re getting at.” She crossed the room with her head bent in thoughtful silence. “The less who know about his return, the better. After all, our people are drawn to power. They don’t care if it’s good or evil.”
“One more reason why I think he’ll start recruiting among your ranks.”
“If he hasn’t already.” She glanced back at the amulet she’d dropped minutes ago. “I’ll personally see what I can find out.”
“You know how to get a message to me.” The tension eased from his shoulders. This meeting had gone far better than he’d imagined. He’d managed to gain the support of the King of Thieves without spilling his guts. Time to make a quick getaway before she loosened his tongue with more wine. “And now that I know I have your assistance, I’ll be on my way.”
“Wait a moment, Raimel. You’ve forgotten something.”
He paused, steps away from the closed door, and cursed under his breath.
Kat came up behind him and placed her hand on his shoulder. “You know the code.”
This time, he didn’t hold back on the curse. “What do you want in tribute?”
“It’s not what I want. It’s what my father wants.” She slipped him a rolled up piece of paper.
He unfurled it and read the name written in fresh blood. “I told you, I’m no longer in this line of work.”
“If you want our assistance, you have to adhere to the code.” She held up her palm to reveal the scar snaking along the surface.
It matched the one on his own. A mark of his pledge years ago to adhere to the code of thieves and be ruled by the underworld’s king.
“I’m not an assassin anymore.”
“Don’t think of it as an assassination. Think of it as ridding the world of one more scumbag.” She nudged him with her shoulder in a playful manner. “And don’t worry. I made sure he was the biggest scumbag we could find. You always had a conscience about these things.”
“And it seems you do, too.” He met her gaze and gave her a small smile of gratitude. He’d never liked killing. He’d only done it to make ends meet. But it had always been on his own terms.
Thankfully, she’d remembered that.
“Don’t let anyone know that. It would undermine my power.” She pulled her hood back over her head. “Once you’ve paid your tribute, you shall have our assistance. Just don’t make us wait too long.”
She opened the door, but paused long enough to add with a crooked grin, “The best wall-banging sex of my life, huh?”
“Not even going there, Your Highness. I have no desire to be castrated by your father.”
She gave him an exaggerated pout before she disappeared into the dark tunnels with Jasper slipping out from the shadows outside and following close behind.
Raimel memorized the name on the slip of paper and lit it with one the candles. It was a dirty job, but someone had to do it. Especially if it meant keeping the kingdom safe.
He’d just have to make sure Ceryst didn’t find out about this tribute or he’d never hear the end of it.
And he’d have to hope his soul could handle the burden of ending one more life.
Chapter 4
Caution trickled down Seroney’s spine as she followed the master mage in front of her, but she couldn’t tell if it was a result of the way he kept leering at her over his shoulder as though he were trying to picture her naked, or if it was because she was afraid that he could see past her magical disguise and would expose her for what she really was. Ever since she’d met him at the agreed-upon rendezvous point, she’d been on guard, biting her tongue to not reveal anything she shouldn’t. She had too many secrets to keep, from who she was to the real reason why she’d come to Elgeus.
She cradled her grandfather’s amulet and prayed that its centuries’ old magic would protect her as it had protected him. Elgeans had a long history of killing non-humans. It started with the Great Hunts, when the king ordered the annihilation of the small group of shapeshifters that roamed the land. Bit by bit, more races were targeted until a group of non-humans launched a rebellion and created the Great Divide, separating Oudesta from Elgeus. Since then, only a few individuals had been allowed to pass through the magical barriers between the two realms.
And somehow, she’d become one of those few.
Why the Seven had chosen her still baffled her. They were the guardians of the Divide, and if they didn’t see a purpose to her journey, they wouldn’t have let her pass. Maybe there was some hidden truth in the Oracle’s edict. Maybe here in Elgeus, she’d find her calling.
She wrapped her cloak tighter around her body to drive away the chill that tingled along her skin as she made her way through the nearly deserted hallways of the Academy of Arcane Magics. In a few days, the students would be returning from their summer respite, eager to resume their studies in the magical arts. But at this late hour, the moonlight streaming through the windows cast long shadows along the corridors and added to her growing unease.
If anyone discovered what she was, would they even bother to ask questions before killing her? Would they label her a spy and torture her for information, especially if they knew who her father was? Would they hold her for ransom?
She’d grown up hearing stories of Elgean brutality, and despite her mother’s reassurances that these acts happened centuries ago, she still feared the consequences of someone finding out that she wasn’t entirely human. She was risking her life to be here, and until she knew why, she’d remain on edge.
“You’re a bit early for classes. Perhaps I can give you a personal tour of the Academy.” The master mage in front of her made no e
ffort to conceal the innuendo in his voice.
She wrinkled her nose and fought back the urge to cast a spell on him that would drop him to his knees. Until she discovered the reason why she’d been summoned here, she preferred not to make any enemies. Especially ones that were master mages. “Thank you, but first I need to speak with Binnius.”
“That’s Master Binnius,” he corrected her with a subtle sneer. “And yes, as a prospective new student, you may not be qualified to participate in our studies. We only train those with the most powerful gifts.”
She almost laughed at his suggestion that she was here to be a student. Surely, someone of her abilities would have a much different role here at the Academy. But much like the Oracle’s statement, her purpose for being here remained cloaked in shadows. All she knew was that her uncle wanted her here, and there could be dire consequences if she didn’t come. No wonder her father seemed so hesitant to allow it. The tense history between Elgeus and Oudesta aside, there had to be something serious brewing to risk involving her.
Her escort stopped in a small antechamber and gave her one more glance that made her heart skip several beats. “I’ll let the headmaster know you’re here.”
His stench lingered in the room longer than he did. She moved closer to the open window to take advantage of the fresh breeze it offered and to clear her mind.
Arcana was a peculiar region of Elgeus. Legend said it had once been an island off the humans’ homeland that rammed into the rest of Elgeus, forming the Gentil Mountains during the collision. Perhaps its origin was the source of its strange magic. It seemed to have its own form of serene order compared to the rest of the world, and she was not quite sure if she liked it. She had read that it rained precisely at three o’clock every afternoon and that some time during the middle of the night, all the dead flowers were replaced with fresh buds. The rolling hills would be covered with vibrant flowers dancing in the wind once the sun rose. Even now, the breeze carried their sweet perfume up from the fields, and the moon peeked out from behind a cloud to bathe her face in its cool glow.
The sound of scuffling footsteps alerted her that the mage had returned. “Master Binnius will see you now.”
Seroney moved closer to the door, but the human blocked the way. “And if I were you, I wouldn’t waste the headmaster’s time,” he whispered close to her ear. “He’s a very busy man.”
When he stepped back, she slipped past him, holding her breath. The door closed behind her with an ominous thud, and Seroney came face to face with the headmaster of the Academy.
“Please, have a seat, my dear.” His voice was like fine suede, soft on the surface but possessing the strength of leather. He waited in silence from his place behind his massive desk for her to comply, his gaze following her every movement. But unlike her experience with the mage outside, Seroney didn’t feel the least bit threatened by his attention.
She opened her mouth to ask him why she’d been summoned here, but he silenced her with a raised finger.
“Just a moment.” He stood, and a flash of blue light streaked from his hand past her. The closed doors heaved and rattled, and a yelp of pain sounded from the other side. He grinned at her as he sat back down. “One day, Master Philgus will learn not to try and listen in on my conversations. I have a feeling he will be nursing a bruised ear for the next couple of days.”
“Philgus?” Seroney made a mental note to avoid this particular master as much as possible in the future. “Was that his name?”
“Yes, he is not the most pleasant person, but he has some unique abilities. Therefore, I cannot so easily dismiss him.” The next spell that came from him glowed with a green aura and sealed the door in a ward of seclusion.
“Don’t want any interruptions?” she asked.
“Naturally.” He sat back down in his chair. “Now, let’s discuss your reason for coming to the Academy and what I expect from you, shall we?”
Chapter 5
Aerrin wove his way through the throngs of students, blind to their greetings as he passed. He had only one mission in mind since he’d passed through the Academy’s gates, and that was wrestling whatever information he could from Master Binnius. By the time he reached the spiral staircase that wound up a tower to the headmaster’s office, he resolved not to settle for more vague answers this time. The safety of the kingdom depended on him learning everything he could about the Raven Bringer.
The door opened before he had a chance to knock. “Come in, Your Majesty,” a faint voice said from within. “I’ve been expecting you.”
Aerrin gritted his teeth. Of course the old man would know he was coming. Master Binnius seemed to know everything. Unfortunately, he wasn’t prone to sharing his secrets, much to Aerrin’s frustration.
He entered the room and shut the door behind him. The headmaster was pressing a signet ring into soft wax to seal a letter and didn’t bother to look up. “I’ll be with you in just a moment. It seems there have been some possible demon sightings in Edensdowne. I’m sending a letter to the Lone Wolf with the details so he and Raimel can investigate.”
“And you were going to tell me about these sightings when?” Aerrin plopped down into a chair and eyed the steaming pot of tea on the small table beside him. It irritated him how Master Binnius always knew when to expect him.
“After our two scouts had a chance to gather more information, naturally. I’d hate to burden you with every rumor that comes across my desk.” The letter disappeared with a flash of blue-tinged magic, and the headmaster hobbled over to the table. “Tea?”
“Please.” He crossed his arms, though, and didn’t take the cup that was poured for him. He needed to assert that he was the one in charge, not the old man standing in front of him. “I want a detailed report of their findings as soon as you get them. Any evidence I can gather to present before the Privy Council will be appreciated.”
“So you’ve decided to tell them?” Master Binnius made an attempt to act surprised.
Aerrin saw right through it. “I will, once I have the proof to convince them this is real. As you argued previously, no one wants to believe the Raven Bringer is back.” And he didn’t want Ceryst to keep bearing the blame for the Raven Bringer’s actions any longer than necessary. The knight had saved his life, and he owed it to him to help Ceryst clear his name.
Master Binnius poured a cup of tea for himself and settled into the overstuffed chair on the other side of the table. He breathed in the aroma and sighed. “Aw, excellent brew,” he pronounced before taking a sip.
Aerrin didn’t follow his lead. “I’m not here for tea time.”
“Of course not. You’re a very busy young man, after all. I apologize for not greeting you on your arrival, but as you can see, I was a bit preoccupied with other matters.” Master Binnius set his cup down. “Please, tell me what is the urgent matter you wish to discuss?”
“I want the truth—the whole truth. Don’t hold anything back.”
“Ah, well, let me see.” He rolled his eyes up toward the ceiling and pressed his finger against the corner of his mouth. “There have been five demons spotted within the city walls of Dromore, all of which have been vanquished by the Lone Wolf and Raimel in the last few weeks.”
At least the lanky ne’er-do-well was proving to be useful. “And why wasn’t I told about them either?”
“Because there was no pattern to the string of lone demon appearances, nor did they appear to be acting under anyone’s orders. But the increase in sightings does raise concern that the demons were drawn by the Raven Bringer’s power.”
“Which would indicate that he is somewhere in the city, wouldn’t it?”
“Perhaps, although I have no means of confirming that at this time.” Master Binnius sipped his tea. “In addition to our two scouts, I have been busy enlisting more eyes and ears throughout the kingdom and casting protective spells over the Academy to ensure everyone’s safety. Does that help ease your worries, Your Majesty?”
“A
little, but I’m more interested in why you’ve been withholding more information from me. You’re hiding something. What else aren’t you telling me?”
“We all have something to hide.”
Something in the reply sent shivers down his spine, and his suspicion shifted to the master mage in front of him. What exactly was he hiding? And why?
Master Binnius gestured to the door. “You should get ready for the welcome feast, Your Majesty. I’ll let you know what is uncovered in Edensdowne.”
A dismissal.
And a reminder that even though he might be king, the headmaster was still in charge of the Academy.
Aerrin gave the master mage his most intimidating glare before leaving. Keep your secrets. I’ll find them out soon enough.
He had scarcely stepped off the bottom step from Master Binnius’s tower when one of the two people he could trust rushed up to him.
“Have you heard about the new girl?” Leandros Vergail’s hazel eyes glowed with excitement as he flung his arm over Aerrin’s shoulders and led him toward one of the common rooms. “Orto says she’s the most beautiful thing he’s ever seen, but then, we all know he’s prone to exaggeration. Twenty women in one night, right? But Quinn says she’s pretty, and I know he’s a reliable source of information. He also says she has a strange accent. I wonder where she’s from. But anyway, she’s in our class. Just bam! Arrives out of nowhere and suddenly is in a fifth-year class for mages. I wonder if she’s any good with magic. Oh, what am I saying? Of course she is. Otherwise, she couldn’t enter the Academy in our class…”
Aerrin just shook his head and grinned as his best friend rattled off all the rumors he had heard about this new student. Not that it really mattered to him. He was just grateful to not be thinking about the Raven Bringer.
As they climbed the stairs that led to the fifth-year quarters, Leandros filled him in on all the latest gossip. One of his older brothers was trying to make a match with one of the richer families in Sauvegny. So-and-so got engaged and dropped out of the Academy. Had he had a chance to meet with the new knight champion? He continued non-stop until they entered the common room, and another familiar voice interrupted him.